Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson Dies

Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson died Sunday just five days after revealing he had cancer, New York Daily News reports.

Thompson was 50.

His death came as a shock to the city, which was already reeling from his announcement that he was seriously ill.

“The world lost a great man,” his wife, Lu-Shawn wrote on Facebook. “Rest in Peace to my husband.”

Thompson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the spring, according to the media outlet. His family was with him when he passed away at the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center.

“I am profoundly saddened,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “Ken was a dedicated public servant who embodied the highest principles of the law.”

Following his announcement, Thompson appointed his chief assistant, Eric Gonzalez, to lead the office in his place. He will likely serve in the position until next year’s election, according to sources.

Thompson took office in Jan. 2014 after defeating Charles Hynes. He made history by becoming the borough’s first African-American chief prosecutor, and was also the first to defeat a sitting Brooklyn district attorney since 1911.

During his time as district attorney, Thompson moved to vacate or supported the dismissal of convictions of 21 wrongfully convicted inmates of murder and other offenses.

Thompson, a native of the Bronx’s Co-op City, is survived by is wife of 17 years, his two children, Kennedy and Kenny, his mother, father, brother and sister.

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